Following the killing of a shepherd named Edwards at Allen?s station near Mt Napier, an armed party of colonists went out in search of the Aborigines. They came across a group of Aborigines camped at Coles? outstation, some of whom were alleged to have been wearing clothing that belonged to Edwards. The party called on them to surrender and then fired, purportedly in self-defence. As a consequence, at least two Aborigines were shot and others were wounded. The medical officer in charge of Mt Rouse Aboriginal reserve said that the party ?acted under a magistrate?s warrant and they say they fired in self-defence?. According to James Bonwick who visited the station about a decade later, John Cox organized a hunting party, including an Aborigine, Souwester, ?though few in number, mustered in rifles and pistols about fifty shots?. The unsuspecting Aborigines were interrupted at their breakfast. ?More than thirty are said to have been thus laid low.?

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